Otak Welcomes Millicent Williams as New Regional Director OR & SW Washington
July, 2021
As Otak celebrates its 40th year, we’re setting our sights firmly on the future and the work we still have to do in the communities we serve. We’re excited to announce to everyone here at Otak, our clients, and our community partners, that Millicent Williams, former Deputy Director at the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), has joined the Otak team as the new Regional Director for Oregon/SW Washington focused on the public sector.
Jim Hamann, Otak’s CEO, reflects, “Millicent’s wide-ranging experience and background will help us address tomorrow’s challenges with fresh, creative approaches. Millicent leads our business in Oregon and SW Washington with a focus on public sector clients and projects. The challenges that communities are facing call for fresh approaches and solutions that reflect a responsiveness to the needs of the whole community. She will make a significant contribution in how we respond.”
With over 20 years working in the public sector at all levels from grassroots community service to providing agency leadership, Millicent brings a fresh perspective to Otak. “My life and professional experiences have shaped my perspective and influenced the way that I engage. I grew up on the east coast and attended Florida A&M University. My sense of obligation to serve communities and bridge gaps led me to a career in public service which formally started in Washington DC and has taken me to jurisdictions across the country. I’m an innovative problem-solver and, because of my approach, have had the opportunity to work across a broad spectrum of disciplines. Here in Oregon, transportation has been my focus. It was my pleasure to work to align PBOT’s goals with the needs of community members who understand the importance of having a transportation system that serves them well. I look forward to bringing my understanding of local, state, and national government operations, and community partnership to Otak as we seek to grow public sector relationships.”
Millicent is excited about her role at Otak and continuing the work she has been doing in the public sector from a new perspective. “I have an opportunity to work with an incredibly talented team of planners, engineers, architects, project and construction managers, who work collaboratively to design and build projects that reflect a sensitivity to what clients and their communities are looking for. I believe Otak can excel at delivering on their vision and look forward to supporting its broad organizational goals.”